Volleyball cruises past Wentworth in season opener, 3-0

Aug 30, 2008

WALTHAM, Mass. - The Brandeis University volleyball team cruised
to victory in their season opener today, defeating visiting
Wentworth Institute of Technology in three straight sets, 25-14,
25-11, 25-16, in Red Auerbach Arena.

Brandeis (1-0) and Wentworth
(0-1) played close early in the first set as both teams came out
early season jitters, but four straight points from the Judges
turned an 8-6 lead into a 12-6 margin and the hosts were not
threatened again.

Brandeis was paced by senior
All-American outside hitter Lorraine Wingenbach
(Buffalo, N.Y.), who had 10 kills in 19 attempts for a .263 hitting
percentage. Sophomore middle blocker Nikki Smith
(Marietta, Ga.) added nine kills and just one error in 15 attempts
for a .533 percentage. Smith also led the team with four blocks
(one solo). Sophomore Paige Blasco (Greely, Colo.)
had eight kills and a team-high nine digs in her college debut
after missing her rookie season due to injury. Twin sister
Abby Blasco (Greely, Colo.) had 27 assists, seven
digs and five service aces.

The Leopards were led by five
kills from junior outside hitter Danielle Banks (Ellicott City,
Md.), while senior libero Jenn Kelemen (Newburgh, N.Y.) and rookie
middle hitter Julie Bruton (Montgomery, Texas) had eight digs
apiece. Bruton also had two solo blocks for Wentworth.